Decision Making Rebound

Focus

Skills under pressure, Defensive, Contested ball, Front & Square, Decision Making, Run & Carry.

Skills

Kicking, Handballing, Crumb, Mark Contest.

Purpose

Working the ball upfield effectively requires choosing the most open player who gains the most distance for the team. This drill has a decision making kick and follow up receive at next contest. The movement replicates working the ball out of defense using a switch.

Groups of

Ages

6⁺

Balls/grp

Cones

Distance (max)

70m

Opp. tops

Visible opposition strip: 1

Setup
Divide into groups of 7, one ball, four cones and one defender's strip/bib per group.
Step 1
(A) kicks a tumble punt out in front of (B), who picks up running out

Juniors can simply run and handball to the feet of the player
Step 2
(B) picks up and sees leading options (1) and (2). There is a red defender (3) trying to cover these players so (B) must choose the best option to kick to.

(B) must look long first as this will gain the most yards. If the longer option is covered, go short

(1) and (2) should not lead to the same spot - if (1) leads short, (2) drops back

Optional how much contact you allow the defender to apply. Can range from implied pressure to full marking contest and tackling
Step 3
Whoever receives the ball out of (1) and (2) then handballs back to (B) who has continued running after their kick

The non-receiver out of (1) and (2) must block defender (3) if possible
Step 4
(B) then kicks to stationary (C), who backpedals then kicks with a sideways switch to (D).
Step 5
(D) plays-on and same as (B), must choose the best option from the middle players (1) or (2) - the same players who provided options for (B) previously, and guarded by the same red defender (3).
Step 6
Whoever receives the ball out of (1) or (2) then handballs back to (D) who has continued running after their kick

Again, the non-receiver of (1) and (2) provides a shepherd
Step 7
(D) kicks to stationary (A) to complete the loop.

Players at stations (A), (B), (C) and (D) progress to the station they give to. The 3 players in the middle compete for 4-6 contests before swapping.